Game board having a laterally shiftable ball projector and rebound cushion means



3,329,433 GAME BOARD HAVING A LATERALLY SHIFTABLE BALL PROJECTOR J. W. RYAN July 4, 1967 AND REBOUND CUSHION MEANS Filed Jan. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 4, 1967 w. RY N 3,329,433 GAME BOARD HAVING A LATERALLY SHIFTABLE BALL PROJECTOR AND REBOUND CUSHION MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1965 INVENTOR. ,72/m 1. Fri

3 r I II I I III United States Patent 3,329,433 GAME BUARD HAVING A LATERALLY SHIFTA- BLE BALL PROJECTOR AND REBOUND CUSH- ION MEANS John W. Ryan, Bel Air, Califi, assignor to Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Califi, a c rporation of California Filed Jan. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 426,151 15 Claims. (Cl. 273121) This invention relates to a game apparatus and more particularly to a new and useful game board that may be used for playing a number of different games.

A number of game boards are available wherein a projector is employed to project balls upon the game board in an effort to score points. Certain of these prior art game boards have fixed projectors for projecting balls onto an inclined game board. In this type of prior art game board, the accuracy of a particular shot depends on the skill of the operator in applying a predetermined amount of force to the projector.

Other game boards are available wherein the projector is swingably mounted on the game board. The accuracy of a shot on this type of game board depends on the skill of the operator in both directing the projector and in the amount of force employed.

While generally satisfactory, these two types of prior art game boards do have certain disadvantages.

'The fixed type of projector has the disadvantage that the players soon tire of shooting a ball in a fixed direction.

A disadvantage with the swingable projector resides in the fact that the projector can not be accurately positioned to shoot the ball in a particular predetermined direction.

In view of the foregoing factors and conditions characteristic of game boards employing projectors to shoot balls on a game board, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and useful game apparatus not subject to the disadvantages enumerated above and having a projector which is accurately positionable to project balls onto a game board safely, efficiently, and expeditiously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-cushion game board having a first curved cushion and subsequent straight cushions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and a useful bowling-pin spotted apparatus for use in combination with a game board of the present invention.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful game apparatus of the type described which is adaptable for use in playing a multiplicity of games.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new useful game apparatus which employs a projector to project a ball into engagement with a chancemeans which scores points on the basis of a chance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus of the type described wherein balls may be projected by a projector and banked off three cushions, after which the ball may be struck with a swingable baseball bat mounted on the apparatus in an effort to score points.

According to the present invention, a three-cushion game board is provided which includes a laterally shiftable projector for projecting balls onto the game board and banking them ofi one or more cushions before they enter a scoring area. The projector includes ribs which are engageable with aligned, parallel ribs on the game board to accurately position the projector so that balls may be projected toward a first cushion on a precise predetermined path. The first cushion is curved in the form of j a parabola so that the projected balls rebound therefrom on a predetermined path. The game board may be provided with playing pieces ahead of the other two cushions so that points can be scored after the first rebound. Alternatively t-he balls may be rebounded from the other two cushions before they enter the scoring field. A spinner may be mounted on the board and spun by a rebounding ball. Also, ten pins may be positioned on the board in a number of different locations. Means are also included for playing a simulated baseball game.

In addition, a pin spotting apparatus is provided which may be inserted and attached to the game board so that points may be scored by causing a ball to roll into the apertures provided in the pin spotting apparatus.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a game board of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an obstacle which gay bi: used in conjunction with the game boar-d in FIG- FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the projector shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the projector shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective :view of a pin spotting apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is an inverted, elevational view of the pin spotting apparatus of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the game board of FIGURE 1 showing the pin spotter of FIGURE 5 in position thereon;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of a ten pin which may be used in combination with the game board of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the board of FIGURE 1 showing a ten pin of FIGURE 8 in position thereon.

Referring again to the drawings, game apparatus constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10, includes a base plate 12 to which a frame 14 is attached. The frame 14 includes first end rail 16, a second end rail 18, a first side rail 20, and a second side rail 22. The base plate 12 is suitably reinforced by a network of bars or slats 23 which support a game board 24. The game board 24 is dimensioned and shaped in such a manner that a first passageway 26 is provided between the game board 24 and the side rail 20, a second passageway 28 is provided between the game board 24 and the side rail 22 and first, second and third pockets 30, 32 and 34 are formed in the corners 36, 38 and 40, respectively, of the frame 14. A curved partition 42, which may include a parabolic curve, is mounted across the corner 36 to separate the pocket 30 from the game board 24 and straight partitions 44 and 46 are mounted across the corners 38 and 40, respectively, to separate the pockets 32 and 34 from the game board 24. A scalloped member 48 is mounted in the passageway 26 to provide pockets 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 which may be employed in scoring a simulated baseball game by identifying them with the indicia out. single, double, homer, and out, respectively, as shown.

The game board 24 is also provided with a suitable opening 60 in which a framework 62 is mounted. The framework 62 includes an end rail 64 provided with a slot 66 and encases a fluted member 68 which provides pockets 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78 which are below the surface of the. game board 24 and which may be identified by the indiciafS, 10, 15, 10, and 5, respectively, as shown.

The game board 24 may also be provided with ten indicia 80 which are arranged in a pattern simulating the spotting of bowling pins in the typical ten-pin arrangement and an indicia 82 which is located ahead of the tenpin indicia 80. Other suitable indicia may be provided on the game board 24 such, for example, as a semi-circular sectior 84 which may be divided into point values, as shown in FIGURE 1. The center of the circle on which the sector 84 is struck constitutes the location of an aperture 86 which is provided on the game board 24 and in which a spinner 88 may be rotatably mounted. The spinner 88 includes a pair of arms 90 which are long enough to extend over the sector 84 to indicate the number of points scoredby the stopping of the spinner. The game board 24 is also provided with indicia 92 in the form of a plurality of circles which are equally, angularly spaced about the sector 84 and upon which ten pins of the pres: ent invention may be spotted.

A plurality of indicia 94 are provided on board 24 and-are located in the line of travel of a ball banked from predetermined points on a parabolic cushion 96 attached to the curved face of the partition 42. The parabolic cushion 96 restricts deviations of rebounds therefrom more than a flat surface would and also permits directing a ball 122 with more accuracy.

A plurality of upstanding pins 98 are mounted in the pocket 34 in the pattern of a baseball diamond and are engageable by a suitable marking device, such as a tenpin 99, as shown in FIGURE 9. A plurality of ten-pins 99 may be provided and each one includes a counter bore 100 engageable with the pins 98, an enlarged midsection 102, a tapered lower section 104, a tapered upper section 106 and a cylindrical top 108.

The ten-pins 99 may be spotted on the indicia 80 by a spotting device 110 (FIGURES and 6) which includes a base board 112 provided with a plurality of apertures 114 corresponding in number and position to the indicia 80, a U-shaped side rail 116, a sloping front ramp 118 and a depending lug 120. The pin spotting device 110 may be inverted to its FIGURE 6 position to serve as a pin spotting device or it may be placed on the game board 24 in its upright position by engaging the depending lug 120 in the slot 66, as shown in FIGURE 7, whereby the device 110' provides an inclined surface. With the device 110 in its upright position, the apertures 114 constitute ball receiving pockets in which balls 122 may be received when shot from the projector 124. The projector 124 includes a housing 126 having a ball receiving cavity 128 and an aperture 130 provided therein. The balls 122 may be inserted through the aperture 130 and projected from the chamber 128 by a plunger 132 which is reciprocally mounted in the housing 126. A compression spring 134 biases the plunger 132 into engagement with the balls 122 by exerting a force between a stop member 135 and the housing 126. The plunger 132 includes a ball engaging end 136 which is received in an aperture 138 provided in a partition 140 in the housing 126. The projector 124 may be made from any suitable material such, for example, as injection-molded, high-impact styrene plastic. The housing 126 includes a bottom wall 142 which is provided with aligned, parallel ribs or flutes 144 engageable with like parallel ribs or flutes 146 provided on a block 148. The block 148 is mounted in the passageway 28 adjacent a notch 150 provided in the side rail 22. The projector 126 may be accurately positioned within the notch 150 by engaging the ribs 144 with the ribs 146. The projector 126 may be shifted laterally to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 1, toward the indicia R to cause a ball 122 projected thereby to bank oif the right hand portion of cushion 96 or the projector 126 may be shifted laterally to the left toward the indicia L to cause the ball 122 to be projected toward the left hand portion of the cushion 96. When the projector 126 is mounted in the notch 150 in such a manner that a ball 122 projected therefrom will follow a path identified by the arrows 152, the ball will rebound from the cushion 96 along a path defined by the arrows 154 in line with the indicia 94. If the ball 122 is shot with sufficient force to pass beyond the indicia 94, the ball will rebound from a cushion 156 along a path defined by the arrows 158. If desired, ten pins 99 may be spotted on the indicia 92 in the path of travel of the ball 122 along the course defined by arrows 158. If the ball 122 is shot with sufficient force along the path defined by arrows 158, the ball will strike a cushion 160 provided on the partition 46 from which the ball will rebound following a path defined by the arrow 162 which is aligned with the indicia 80. Ten pins 99 may be spotted on the indicia and points scored in a manner to be hereinafter described. The board 24 is provided with indicia L and R beyond the indicia 80 which are coordinated with the indicia L and R adjacent the notch 150 in such a manner that a ball 122 can be caused to rebound on paths which will cause it to pass indicia 80 on a line nearer the indicia L then beyond by moving the projector 124 laterally within notch 150 toward its associated indicia L or to pass nearer the indicia R by moving projector 124 toward indicia R.

The pin-spotting device may be mounted on the game board 24 by engaging the lug with the slot 66 (FIGURE 7) and points may be scored by causing the ball 122 to come to rest in the apertures 114 provided in the pin-spotting device 110. Alternatively, the baseball bat 164 may be pivotally mounted in a hollow, upstand ing boss 166 provided in the passageway 28 and a player may attempt to hit the ball 122 in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The game board 24 may be made from any suitable material such, for example, as A3" die-cut hard board. In addition, the balls 122 may be of a convenient size such, for example, as 78 diameter and may constitute a glass or plastic material and the ten-pins 99 may be of injection-molded high-impact styrene construction and may be approximately 1% high with a /2" diameter at the enlarged midsection 102.

The baseball bat 164 may be conveniently injection molded from high-impact styrene plastic and it includes a bat portion 168 which may be approximately 4%. long and a knob 170 which may be approximately 1%" high.

'The bat portion 168 may be approximately /2" high.

The spinner 88 may conveniently be of injectionmolded, high-impact styrene construction and includes a hub portion 172 which is engageable with the aperture 86 to rotatably mount the spinner 88 on the game board 24. The arms 90 may have an overall length of 6 /2".

The baseboard 12, the reinforcing ribs 23, the rails 42, 44, and 46 and the frame 14 may be conveniently formed integrally by injection molding high-impact styrene plastic. The frame may have a 1%" height and the end walls may be 15 /8" in length while the side walls may be 23 /2" in length.

A recess 174 may be provided in the pocket 32 for storage of the projector 124. Also, the bowling pins 99 and the balls 122 may be conveniently stored in the pocket 34.

Games played on the game board 24 may be made more exciting by mounting suitable obstacles, such as the clown obstacle 176, thereon. The clown obstacle 176 may be conveniently injection molded from high-impact styrene plastic and may be approximately 4" in height. The clown obstacle 176 includes spaced apart legs 178 forming an opening 180 through which a ball 122 may freely pass. The obstacle 176 includes a ball-holding cavity 181 and is supported on the game board 24 by feet members 182 attached to the ends of the legs 17 8.

A number of games may be played with the apparatus as follows:

BASEBALL A simulated baseball gamemay be played with the bat 164, one ball 122, four pins 99 and the projector 124. The bat 164 is first mounted on the post or boss 166 and the projector 124 is mounted in the notch 150. The projector 124 may be aimed by sliding it to the left toward the indicia L or to the right toward the indicia R as described above. A ball 122 may be dropped through the aperture 130 while the projector is held down with one hand. With the other hand, the knob 132 is pulled back all the way for a fast ball or only part way for a slow ball.

Two or more players may participate. When two players are participating, one player is the batter and he controls the bat 164. His opponent is the pitcher and he shoots the balls 122 from the projector 124. After the pitcher shoots a ball 122 and it bounces off the cushions 96, 156 and 160, the batter may hit the ball into the scoring cups or pockets 50, 52, 54, 56 or 58 and score according to the cup into which the ball falls. If it falls into the passageway 28, the player is out. If the ball falls onto the block 148, it counts as a foul. Should the ball 122 spin around and stop on the game board 24, a bunt single is scored. If the batter swings and misses the ball 122 and the ball falls into the opening 60, a strike is called. Should the pitcher shoot a ball olf the game board 24, or hit no cushion at all, a ball is called on the batter. The batter may swing several times at a pitched ball.

The batter may keep score by advancing the pins 99 on the diamond represented by the pins 98 following regular baseball rules. More than two players may participate and they can form teams and take turns at bat, if desired. On the other hand, one player may play alone by pitching balls to himself.

SKEEBOL This game may be played with two balls and the pinspotting device 110. The pin-spotting device is mounted on the game board 24 in the manner shown in FIGURE 7 so that the depending lug 120 engages the slot 66.

A number of players may participate and each player takes two balls on his turn aiming at the high score aperture or cup marked by the indicia 30 in FIGURE 5. Each ball scores the number of points shown by the cup or aperture 114 into which it falls and then removes the ball. A ball that rolls off the pin-spotting device 110 does not score and a player may not take a bad shot over again. A game may consist of five turns after which the player having the highest score is declared the winner.

The game may be made more fascinating by mounting the spinner 88 in its aperture 86. The spinner 88 may be set before each shot in such a manner that neither of the arms 90 is within the sector 84. The spinner may be struck with the ball before it moves up ramp 118 onto the pin-setting device 110. After each shot, the player reads the indicia at which the spinner came to rest and acts accordingly. For example, ET indicates an extra turn, 10 indicates that the player should add ten points to his score, and the like.

Also, if desired, the obstacle 176 may be placed on the board 24 in the path of travel of a ball 122 with the object being to cause the ball 122 to pass between the legs 178 Without knocking the clown obstacle 176 down.

BOWLAROUND This game may be played with ten pins 99, two balls 122, the pin-spotting device 110 and the projector 124. The pin-spotting device 110 is inverted to its FIGURE 6 position and placed on the game board 24 in such a manner that the indicia 80 are correctly aligned with the apertures 114. The ten pins 99 are dropped into the apertures 114 with the ends 108 uppermost. The pinspotter may then he lifted straight up and the pins 99 will remain in position. The enlarged midsections 102 facilitate correctly spotting the pins 99 and the tapered ends 104 and 106 minimize the chances for an unsteady hand to disturb the pins 99 as the pin-setting device 110 is lifted from the game board 24.

Each player shoots two balls 122 on his turn. Should a shot ball pass into the passageways 26 or 28, it is scored as a gutter ball and the player may not shoot his second ball. The next player sets up all ten pins and takes his turn. The ball should be aimed carefully and the projector 124 may be moved laterally within the notch toward the indicia L or the indicia R depending on which row of pins he wishes to hit.

The game may be scored by counting 20 points for a strike which comprises knocking all ten pins down with the first ball. Ten points may be scored for a spare which comprises knocking all pins down on two balls. Otherwise, the score is one point for each pin knocked down. A game may consist of 100 points. On the other hand, regular bowling scoring may be used if desired.

SMACK-IT This game may be played with the projector 124 and two balls. One ball is placed on the indicia 82 and the second ball is aimed at the first ball. Points are given a player for each ball that falls into the opening 60 according to the number of points shown beside the particular pocket in which the ball comes to rest. The player may then set up the first ball on the indicia 82 and again shoot the second ball and once more score the points indicated. The next player may then take two shots and the players may play to any desired number of points, such as 200 or more. A player cannot take a bad shot over again.

If desired, the clown obstacle 176 and the spinner 88 may be employed. Preferably, the obstacle 176 is placed in front of the indicia 82 in alignment therewith forcing the player to pass between the legs 178 before hitting the first ball.

DUCK ZOOP This game may be played with nine pins 99 and two balls 122. The pins 99 may be called Ducks and are set up on the 9 indicia 92 provided on the sector 84. A number of players may participate and each player shoots two balls on his turn aiming at the pins 99. He scores two points for each pin he knocks down. The pins which are knocked down with the first ball are removed from the board 24. Should a player knock all nine pins down on one shot, he scores 30 points. If he knocks the nine pins down on his first shot, he may set the pins up for his next shot. The person having the highest score after three turns may be declared the winner The clown obstacle 176 may be positioned on the board 24 between the cushion 96 and the pins 99 and the second ball 122 may be placed in the recess 181. The object is then to shoot between the clowns legs 178 and if the clown falls down or spills the ball 122 from the recess 181, five points are substracted from the players score.

KNOCKOFF This game may be played with six pins 99 and one ball 122 and the projector 124. The pins 99 are set up on the board 24 on the indicia 94 and each player shoots one ball on his turn. The object of the game is to call out the pins which the player anticipates knocking over by calling out the indicia 10, 20, 30, 40, 50* or 60 provided adjacent the indicia 94. The player positions the projector 124 within the notch 150 in a position which he judges will cause the ball to rebound from cushion 96 on a path whichwill knock over the pin which he calls out. Should the player knock down the pin he called for either by itself or with other pins, he scores the number of points only for the called pin, which is removed from the gameJThe first player sets up the remaining pins for his opponents turn. But, if the first player misses the pin he called, he does not score. He must set up all the pins again for his opponent, except those which have been removed from the game because they were scored on. The highest score after all six pins are down wins the game. The spinner 88 may be added to enhance the excitement of the game.

CLOWNAROUND This game may be played with the clown obstacle 176, two balls 122, the projector 124 and six pins 99.

The clown obstacle 176 is positioned on the board 24 astraddle the sector 84 midway between the cushions 156 and 160'. One ball is placed in the ball recess 181 on the clown obstacle 176. One pin 99 is positioned on the indicia 82 and another pin 99 is positioned on one of the indicia 80 immediately behind the indica 82. The remaining four pins 99 are then positioned on the indicia 80 adjacent the opening 60. Each player shoots one ball on his turn and it must pass through the legs 178 of the clown without tumbling the ball out of the cavity 181 to entitle a player to score. Players score five points for each pin knocked down and the winner is the first to score 160 points or over.

SIX LITTLE INDIANS This game may be played with six pins 99, the bat .164, the projector 124 and one ball 122. The six pins are set up on the board 24 in a row in alignment with the aperture 86 extending from a point adjacent thereto toward the end rail 16. The bat 164 is mounted on the post 166 so that one player may shoot balls with the projector 124 while the other player manipulates the bat. The player manipulating the projector 124 may be called the pitcher and he may pitch to the batter as many balls as he needs to knock down all six pins 99. The pitcher keeps track of the number of balls he used and when it is his turn to knock them down, the player who used the fewest number of balls to knock down the six pins 99 is the winner.

The pitched balls rebound from the cushions 96, 156 and 160 after which the batter attempts to shoot them transversely across the board toward the rail in such a manner that the ball will strike the pins 99.

IMPOSSI-B OWL This game may be played with ten pins 99, two balls 122, a projector 124 and the clown obstacle 176. Four pins 99 are spotted on the indicia 94 at the locations identified by the numerals 20, 30 and 50. The clown obstacle is positioned in front of the projector 124 and the remaining six pins 99 are positioned on the indicia 82, the first indicia 80 behind the indicia 82 and the next two indicia 80 on each side of the center row of indicia. One ball is placed on top of the pin 99 which occupies the indicia 82. Each player then shoots one ball on his turn. The ball must pass between the clowns legs without tumbling him and then through the four pins on the indicia 94 without knocking them down. The ball must then knock down the second ball and all of the six pins. Should this occur, the player scores 100 points. If the player doesnt get a strike by knocking all six pins down, he does not score. A game -may comprise playing for the highest score after three turns.

SHOOT THE WORKS This game may be played with an assortment of game pieces and the player may make up their own rules. For example, the clown object 176 may be positioned in front of the projector 124 and one ball may be placed in the ball cavity 181.

Six pins may then be spotted on the indicia 94 and the spinner 88 may be inserted into aperture 86. The pinspotting device 110' may also be positioned on the game board 24 as shown in FIGURE 7. Each player may then shoot one ball and after each turn add up the points for a ball on the pin-spotting device and for pins knocked off the numbered circle 94. The spinner may then be read and the play continued for the highest score after three turns.

All games are preferably played with the apparatus 10 lying on a fiat level surface.

While the particular game apparatus herein shown and described is fully capable of attaining the object and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown and described other than as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A game apparatus comprising:

a game board forming a playing surface defined by upstanding marginal side and end members forming a rectangle having four corners, one of said members being provided with a notch adjacent one of said corners, said notch being provided with spaced, parallel ribs;

a spring-loaded ball projector positionable in said notch and being laterally shiftable therein, said projector including parallel, spaced ribs engageable with said spaced ribs in said notch to accurately align said projector;

a curved rebound cushion extending diagonally across one of the other corners in alignment with said notch;

and

scoring means provided on said game board in the path of travel of said ball when propelled by said projector toward said curved cushion in such a manner that said ball rebounds therefrom toward said scoring means.

2. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said scoring means comprises spinner means rotatably mounted on said game board.

3. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said scoring means comprises parallel pockets provided beneath the surface of said game board.

4. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said scoring means comprises ten-pins mounted on said game board.

5. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said scoring means comprises a simulated baseball bat rotatably mounted on one of said marginal members and a plurality of scoring cups provided below the surface of said game board adjacent the other of said side members.

6. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 including obstacle means positionable on said game board in the path of travel of said ball.

7. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said scoring means comprises a pin-spotting device having a plurality of ball-receiving apertures provided therein and being positionable on said game board.

8. A game apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said curved cushion has a parabolic shape.

9. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a straight rebound cushion extending diagonally across each of the remaining corners of said game board.

10. A game apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said scoring means includes spinner means rotatably mounted on said game board adjacent and intermediate said straight cushions and a plurality of ten-pins mounted on said game board.

11. A game apparatus as defined in claim 10 including simulated baseball bat rotatably mounted on one of said side members and a plurality of scoring cups provided below the surface of said game board adjacent the other of said side members.

12. A game apparatus as stated in claim 11 including obstacle means positionable on said game board in the path of travel of said ball, said obstacle means being provided with a ball receiving recess and a ball positionable in said recess for dislodgment therefrom when said obstacle means is struck by said other ball.

13. A game apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said scoring means also includes a pin-spotting device having a plurality of ball-receiving apertures provided therein, said pin-spotting device being mounted on said game board in an inclined position.

14. A game apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said curved cushion has a parabolic shape.

15. A game apparatus comprising:

game board means forming a playing surface defined by upstanding marginal side and end members forming a rectangle having four corners, one of said members being provided with a notch adjacent one of said corners;

a spring-loaded projector positionable in said notch for propelling a projectile, said projector being laterally shiftable in said notch and including parallel, spaced ribs engageable with like ribs provided in said notch for accurately positioning said projector;

a rebound cushion extending diagonally across each of the other corners of said game board means; and

scoring means provided on said game board means in the path of travel of said projectile when propelled by said projector toward one of said cushions in such a manner that said projectile rebounds therefrom toward another of said cushions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 254,420 2/1882 Wilson 273127 334,293 1/1886 Seibold 273-127 424,141 3/1890 Singer 273121 480,662 8/1892 Gleason 27339 497,452 5/1893 Malinowski 27314 803,520 10/1905 Arney 273-123 952,644 3/1910 Sato 273--123 1,073,783 9/1913 Schum 27389 1,561,716 11/1925 Grifiith 273-89 2,075,960 4/1937 Reichel 27389 2,083,119 6/1937 Hense 273119 2,522,275 -9/1950 Keegan et a1. 273 X 2,910,296 10/1959 Irwin 27390 X 3,224,777 12/ 1965 Cirasund a 273-123 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner.

T. ZACK, L. J. BOVASSO, Assistant Examiners. 

15. A GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING: GAME BOARD MEANS FORMING A PLAYING SURFACE DEFINED BY UPSTANDING MARGINAL SIDE AND END MEMBERS FORMING A RECTANGLE HAVING FOUR CORNERS, ONE OF SAID MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED WITH A NOTCH ADJACENT ONE OF SAID CORNERS; A SPRING-LOADED PROJECTOR POSITIONABLE IN SAID NOTCH FOR PROPELLING A PROJECTILE, SAID PROJECTOR BEING LATERALLY SHIFTABLE IN SAID NOTCH AND INCLUDING PARALLEL, SPACED RIBS ENGAGEABLE WITH LIKE RIBS PROVIDED IN SAID NOTCH FOR ACCURATELY POSITIONING SAID PROJECTOR; A REBOUND CUSHION EXTENDING DIAGONALLY ACROSS EACH OF THE OTHER CORNERS OF SAID GAME BOARD MEANS; AND SCORING MEANS PROVIDED ON SAID GAME BOARD MEANS IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID PROJECTILE WHEN PROPELLED BY SAID PROJECTOR TOWARD ONE OF SAID CUSHIONS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT SAID PROJECTILE REBOUNDS THEREFROM TOWARD ANOTHER OF SAID CUSHIONS. 